Nov. 3, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem City Council will vote Wednesday on a $7 million state grant for ArtsQuest and a liquor-license transfer.
The $7 million grant for ArtsQuest, if approved, will come from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant Program (RACP) for work at the old Bethlehem Steel Corp. “Turn and Grind Shop” in south Bethlehem.
ArtsQuest, which runs Musikfest, plans to turn the old industrial building into an arts and culture venue.
That big grant would be relayed via the city to ArtsQuest.
I’ll say this for ArtsQuest: unlike some other groups that are always looking for grants, ArtsQuest actually does measurable things and its events provide a boost to local business.
The RACP website claims the program promotes “regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.”
Some of the grants are questionable, such as $4 million for the Philadelphia Eagles for a training facility. In 2025, CNBC valued the Philadelphia franchise of the National Football League at $8.5 billion, yet the State of Pennsylvania decided that the Eagles deserved $4 million from taxpayers.
That’s Pennsylvania for you. Local taxes go up, billion-dollar teams get taxpayers’ money. Disclosure: I’m an Eagles fan, even when they are 2-6. I just don’t understand why they need my money when local governments keep asking for more of it too.
Bethlehem City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Town Hall. Council usually meets on Tuesday but the meeting was pushed back because of Election Day.
Here’s a link to the agenda and items to be voted on and below is a cut-and-paste version:
BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026 – 7:00 PM
TOWN HALL – 10 EAST CHURCH STREET – BETHLEHEM, PA
Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call
PUBLIC HEARING
Prior to the consideration of the regular Agenda items, City Council will conduct a Public Hearing:
PUBLIC HEARING (01 PH)
This Public Hearing is to receive public comment on the request for the Intermunicipal Transfer of Restaurant
Liquor License No. R-11842 from Ashley’s Signature Restaurant, 229 N. 11th Street, Easton, Northampton
County, to Gatehouse Licensee, LLC, 413 E. 3rd Street, Bethlehem, Northampton County.
Approval of Minutes – October 20, 2026
Public Comment
3 A. On subjects not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
3 B. On Ordinances and Resolutions being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
Old Business
4 A. Old Business – Members of Council
4 B. Tabled Items
4 C. Unfinished Business
New Business
5 A. President Leon – Setting Budget Adoption Date and Budget Hearing Schedule Announcement
Communications
6 A. City Solicitor – Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – 2026 Christkindlmarkt
6 B. Deputy Director of Economic Development – Memo – Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program
(RACP) – ArtsQuest Turn and Grind Shop
Reports
7 A. President of Council
7 B. Mayor
Ordinances for Final Passage
None
New Ordinances
None
Resolutions
10 A. Approve Resolution – Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer – Gatehouse Licensee, LLC
10 B. Approve Resolution – 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
10 C. Approve Resolution – Water and Sewer Resources – Records Destruction
10 D. Approve Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – 2026 Christkindlmarkt
10 E. Approve Resolution – Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) – ArtsQuest Turn and Grind Shop
10 F. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 3 West Morton Street
Adjournment
The liquor license from the former Ashley’s Signature Restaurant at 229 N. 11th St. in Easton will be transferred to Gatehouse at 413 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem, if Council approves. License transfers across municipal lines require local government approval, which is usually a formality.
